1 citations
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July 2023 in “Cosmetics” This study found that a novel shampoo formulation effectively delivers caffeine to hair follicles, with 8–9% of absorbed caffeine reaching the follicles, suggesting it may support hair retention by enhancing antioxidant activity.
93 citations
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January 2007 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” In this study, caffeine applied in a shampoo penetrated hair follicles faster and more effectively than through the skin surface within the first 20 minutes.
This study conducted a pre-formulation evaluation of a caffeine shampoo for androgenic alopecia treatment, finding that the formulation remains stable under various conditions, suggesting its viability for compounding.
5 citations
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October 2020 in “Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia” This study found that a phyto-caffeine-containing shampoo was more effective than a control shampoo in reducing hair loss and improving hair strength in women with androgenetic alopecia over a 6-month period.
26 citations
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December 2009 in “Laser Physics” This study observed that caffeine-containing shampoo can penetrate hair follicles to a depth of approximately 200 μm and remains detectable even after 24 hours, suggesting a potential long-term reservoir effect.
24 citations
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February 2007 in “Laser Physics Letters” This study found that a caffeine-containing shampoo penetrated deeply into hair follicles in just two minutes and remained there for up to 48 hours, even after washing.
May 2024 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology” This study found that while caffeine and adenosine can inhibit hair loss and stimulate hair growth, more research is needed to fully understand the efficacy of shampoo formulations containing specific proportions of these compounds for hair loss treatment and prevention.
1 citations
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February 2018 in “Psicologia e Saúde em Debate” This study explored the preformulation of a caffeine-containing shampoo for treating androgenic alopecia and found the formulation to be stable and viable for compounding.
December 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Science” This study determined that caffeine content in anticellulite gels was between 0.7% and 1.7%, and about 1.0% in hair-care products.
November 2025 in “Cosmetics” This study found that of the many ingredients advertised in shampoos as effective against hair loss, only caffeine, adenosine, placental proteins, and melatonin have limited clinical evidence supporting their efficacy, with most claimed active ingredients lacking any trial-based validation.
This study found that while many shampoo ingredients are marketed as effective against hair loss, only caffeine, adenosine, placental proteins, and melatonin have moderate clinical evidence for efficacy, and a majority of other claimed active ingredients lack clinical trial verification.
Caffeine in Alpecin shampoo may help prolong hair root activity and reduce hair loss.
January 2024 in “Estetologia Medyczna i Kosmetologia” In this study analyzing trichological shampoos on the Polish market, researchers reported that most active ingredients claimed to combat hair loss were found in only one product each, questioning the scientific evidence supporting these claims.
8 citations
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January 2020 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” This article discusses the potential for topical caffeine as a natural alternative for treating androgenetic alopecia due to its ability to penetrate skin, but it reports no new clinical findings.
6 citations
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August 2021 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” This study concluded that a regimen containing functional antioxidants and barrier-enhancing agents reduced hair shedding and increased perceived hair fullness in participants with self-perceived hair thinning over 24 weeks.
3 citations
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January 2018 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” In this study, researchers developed a method called the Stiffness-Angle Law and found that hair treated with caffeine-infused shampoo showed a 13.2% increase in stiffness, as measured by their novel evaluation technique.
1 citations
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March 2025 in “Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research” This publication overview describes the Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research's rigorous peer review process and their focus on genetic, biomedical, and technical knowledge research within an open access format, but does not report specific study results.
1 citations
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July 2023 in “Cureus” This article examines advancements in understanding and managing androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness), discussing genetic and psychological factors, diagnostic methods, classifications, and various treatment options, including traditional and emerging therapies, to aid healthcare professionals in making informed treatment decisions.
This case report discusses a patient with female androgenetic alopecia and chronic telogen effluvium, emphasizing the importance of follicular unclogging to enhance treatment effectiveness, combining deep cleaning, caffeine application, physical stimulation, and lifestyle changes as an individualized, effective alternative to oral medications.
December 2024 in “Skin Appendage Disorders” Researchers reviewed 13 clinical trials on non-prescription monotherapies like procyanidin and cetirizine for androgenetic alopecia, finding potential improvements in hair density and diameter, but emphasized the need for more robust trials to confirm efficacy and safety.
May 2026 in “Revista Iluminart” In this study, researchers found that adding coffee grounds to neutral shampoo, a popular DIY trend, resulted in peak caffeine extraction after seven days, with concentrations surpassing those in commercial products, suggesting educational potential for chemistry classes.
August 2025 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy” This review article examines current drugs for androgenetic alopecia, focusing on their mechanisms and clinical efficacy, noting that while finasteride and minoxidil are commonly approved treatments, new drugs targeting different pathogenic pathways have emerged, offering a broader understanding and reference for AGA treatment options.
May 2025 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science” In this study, researchers found that a shampoo containing caffeine and adenosine significantly altered the scalp microbiome and lipidome in subjects with hair loss over 12 weeks, which may suggest a role for these compounds in enhancing anti-hair loss processes.
August 2025 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” In this study, a DMG-Na and caffeine-containing shampoo significantly reduced hair loss and increased hair density in men with male pattern hair loss over 6 months, compared to a placebo, without adverse effects.
September 2022 in “Polish Hyperbaric Research” This study analyzed 57 medicinal and cosmetic preparations available in Poland for treating alopecia, finding that finasteride is the most common active ingredient, with many products being in tablet or shampoo form and categorized as prescription drugs and cosmetics.
This study developed nanoparticulate systems for caffeine delivery in hair follicles, demonstrating effective caffeine loading and release, as well as successful imaging within model hair follicles.
153 citations
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October 2012 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology” This review discusses the use of caffeine in cosmetics for its fat-reducing, antioxidant, and hair growth properties, but reports no new research findings.
1 citations
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July 2017 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft” Topical caffeine improves hair loss intensity, speed, and shedding, and works better with minoxidil/azelaic acid.
11 citations
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July 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology” Caffeine may help hair growth in hereditary hair loss.
This review discusses caffeine's potential role in treating androgenetic alopecia by counteracting DHT effects on hair follicles and enhancing cell proliferation, but reports no new clinical results.